God\u2019s promises fulfilled<\/strong><\/p>\n 46 Jesus said to the Eleven: \u201cThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, <\/em><\/p>\n Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins<\/strong><\/p>\n 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.<\/em><\/p>\n The Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/p>\n 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Ascension<\/strong><\/p>\n 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.<\/em><\/p>\n 52 And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gospels are not just historical facts but offer explanations of facts of faith. Both Luke\u2019s and John\u2019s Gospel indicated that the Ascension of Jesus into heaven took place on Easter Sunday, resurrection day. Ascension is an integral part of the resurrection rather than being two successive events. The first few centuries of the Church celebrated both events as one.<\/p>\n We ask the question, why are they now celebrated forty days apart? A first reason is to give us an opportunity and time to contemplate the full meaning of the two aspects of one event. The second reason, as taught in the Bible, is that forty days is a symbol of revelation time. Moses (Exod 24:18; 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kgs 19:8) each spent forty days in preparation for their vocation to the mission of preaching. Jesus also spent forty days in the wilderness preparing himself for his public ministry (Lk. 4: 2-15). During his appearances throughout his last forty days before his ascension the apostles and disciples had time to contemplate and accept his resurrection and ascension as they encountered him personally and saw how much he was the same and yet so different.<\/p>\n W frequently see references to Jesus not teaching history but theology. That is true but I find it easier to use the word \u201cmessage\u201d rather than \u201ctheology\u201d. Much of the messages he delivered were based on examples and quotations from the Old Testament with which his followers were familiar (Lk. 24: 25\u201327 \u2013 quoted a few lines below here).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 46 Jesus said to the Eleven: \u201cThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cJesus said to the Eleven: \u201cThus it is written<\/em>\u201d \u2014 To the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, who would have known the scriptures, Jesus declared, \u201c\u2018Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?\u2019 Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 24: 25\u201327).<\/p>\n \u201cthat the Christ should suffer<\/em>\u201d \u2014 See Isaiah 50: 6; 53; Lk. 9: 22, 44; 17: 25; 18: 31\u201333; 22: 27; 24: 25\u201327.<\/p>\n \u201cand on the third day rise from the dead<\/em>\u201d \u2014 See Gn. 22: 4, 11; Jonah 1: 17; t. 12: 40; Hosea 6: 2; Lk. 22;18: 33; 24: 6\u20137; 25\u201327; 44\u201345.<\/p>\n \u201cand that repentance<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus\u2019 earthly mission was the salvation of souls, which required, on the part of the person listening to his invitation, repentance for sins which means a change of mentality and life\u2013style from the way of the world to the following of Jesus\u2019 way.<\/p>\n \u201cand forgiveness of sins should be preached<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This power of God was passed on by Jesus to the apostles in the Upper Room on Easer Sunday evening when he said \u201c\u2018Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you\u2019. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, \u2018Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained<\/em>\u2019\u201d (Jn. 20: 21\u201323).<\/p>\n These final words can be a reminder of what Luke wrote earlier about John the Baptist who was to preach repentance and forgiveness (Lk. 1:13\u201317), and to Zachary\u2019s canticle, the \u201cBenedictus\u201d (1:76\u201379).<\/p>\n \u201cin his name<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This means \u2018on his behalf\u2019, with his authority.<\/p>\n \u201cto all nations, beginning from Jerusalem<\/em>\u201d \u2014 In his Gospel Luke shows Jesus among only the Jews, not among the Gentiles,. His reason for this is that such a mission would be the role of the Church. In the Acts of the Apostles Luke records that role of the Church spreading the faith among the nations of the world.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are witnesses of these things<\/em>\u201d \u2014 As \u201cwitnesses<\/em>\u201d they had first\u2013hand personal experience of what Jesus said and did and could proclaim this to others (Lk. 1: 1\u20132).<\/p>\n <\/em><\/p>\n 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you<\/em>\u201d \u2014 \u201cThe promise of my Father<\/em>\u201d is the Holy Spirit. \u201cIf you then, who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 11: 13; Is. 44: 3; Ezek. 36: 26; Joel 2: 28\u201329).<\/p>\n \u201cbut stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high<\/em>\u201d \u2014 The apostles are to remain in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit comes down upon them. They are being told that by themselves they can achieve nothing. When Elijah the prophet was taken up to heaven he left his cloak of office, his prophet\u2019s mantle, to clothe Elisha his successor (II Kgs. 2: 9\u201315). Jesus will leave his \u201cmantle<\/em>\u201d for the apostles, the Church. They will be \u201cclothed<\/em>\u201d with the \u201cpower<\/em>\u201d of the Holy Spirit which is necessary for their mission to evangelise. As Elijah left a \u2018double portion\u2019 of his power as prophet to Elisha, Jesus will leave a \u2018double portion\u2019 of his power to those who believe (Jn. 14: 12; 16: 23).<\/p>\n The Spirit is described as \u201cpower<\/em>\u201d. With few exceptions, when the Holy Spirit is mentioned \u201cpower<\/em>\u201d is associated with him (Lk. 1: 35; 4: 14).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThen he led them out as far as Bethany<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Bethany is about two miles, less than four kilometers, from Jerusalem (Jn. 11: 18). Going there meant passing through the Mount of Olives. Up to this point they had been in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. This implies that in Luke\u2019s account, without declaring it directly, the ascension took place on Easter Sunday from the Mt. of Olives.<\/p>\n Christians are accustomed to hearing that the ascension took place forty days after the resurrection (Act.1: 3). This present verse does not mention the forty days but implies that Jesus led the apostles for his ascension on that same day that he appeared to them, Easter Sunday. Which is correct? Answer: both! Jesus continued to appear to the apostles and disciples for forty days and then he definitively<\/u> ascended not to come back. But if we ask the question: \u2018Where was Jesus during the forty days?\u2019 the answer has to be that he was living in heaven with his Father; he was in \u201cglory\u201d. \u201cWas it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 24: 26). This explains that when he appeared to them during those forty days he was seen in a different light than when he lived on earth: for example, he had the ability to pass through doors and walls, to appear and disappear in an instant (Lk. 24: 31, 36, 51), to ascend into heaven.<\/p>\n \u201cand lifting up his hands he blessed them<\/em>\u201d \u2014 this is Jesus\u2019 last act before his ascension. He acts as the Messianic priest imparting a blessing.<\/p>\n In the Bible a final blessing before death or a definitive departure was a sign that the person blessing was handing over to another (such as father to his son or prophet to his successor) his power and possessions. Examples would be Isaac blessing Jacob, Moses blessing Joshua and Elijah passing his spirit to Elisha.<\/p>\n A blessing has two aspects: (i) When God, or his representative, blesses, it is a sign of the benevolence and generosity of God who bestows a gift on a human being. In the Bible inanimate objects are consecrated to the service of God but not blessed. (ii) When a human being \u2018blesses God\u2019 it is an act of thanksgiving for favours received.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile he blessed them<\/em>, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus had not completed his \u201cblessing<\/em>\u201d when he ascended. This is a sign that he continues to bless and bestow his gifts on his Church from his Father\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n There is also the implication that (i) this is a liturgical action being performed by a priest. (ii) The Greek word for \u201cwas carried up<\/em>\u201d to heaven occurs frequently in the Old Testament translations for the offering of a sacrifice to God (Lv. 2: 15; 3; 5, 11, 14, 16). The full meaning then is that Jesus our eternal priest is in heaven where he ascended with the merits of his paschal mystery, that is, his death and resurrection. He continues his priestly role of adoring and praising God on our behalf and of interceding for us.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 52 And they returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd they returned to Jerusalem with great joy<\/em>\u201d \u2014 (i) Jesus has just assured them that he is the fulfilment of the Sacred Scriptures and so he is the promised Messiah who has now accomplished his work. (ii) They have seen him ascend to his Father, a sign that he is the Son of God. (iii) They have also heard him promise to send his Spirit upon them; his presence will remain with them. (iv) Now they understand the purpose of his invitation to follow him; they will continue his mission of salvation by being his witnesses throughout the world. They have so many reasons for being filled with joy.<\/p>\n \u201cand were continually in the temple<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus preached regularly in the Temple. The apostles continued his lead (Lk. 19: 47\u201348; 21: 37\u201338). It was the place of proclamation and prayer. We, of course, are Temples of the Holy Spirit and should therefore be people of prayer who use every opportunity to proclaim God\u2019s Good News.<\/p>\n Luke began his Gospel in the Temple where Zechariah received the visit from \u201can angel of the Lord<\/em>\u201d informing him of the conception and birth of John the Baptist (Lk. 1: 5\u201323). Jesus spent his last free days teaching in the Temple (Lk. 21: 37\u201338). Luke now concludes his Gospel in the Temple.<\/p>\n \u201cblessing God<\/em> \u2014 This means thanking God for his wonderful gifts (Lk, 1: 64; 2: 28).<\/p>\n These are the final words in Luke\u2019s Gospel. We are being told to live in the presence of God (the Temple) and joyfully spend our time in thanksgiving and praise for God\u2019s blessings and gifts to us and to the Church.<\/p>\n The reading presented for this feast of the Ascension is the conclusion of Luke\u2019s Gospel. He began his \u201cordered account<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 1: 3) of the mystery of Jesus Christ with the account of the incarnation when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and she conceived the Son of God in the flesh who in his short life confined his mission of salvation to the Jewish people. Luke concludes his Gospel with Jesus\u2019 promise of sending the Holy Spirit on his chosen followers (Pentecost Sunday is the birthday of the Church) to give them the \u201cpower<\/em>\u201d to continue his mission of salvation throughout the world. This is the beginning of the new age of the Church. The story of this apostolate will be found in Luke\u2019s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, which opens with his fuller account of the ascension of Jesus to \u201cthe actual presence of his Father<\/em>\u201d (Heb. 9: 24) where \u201cfrom now on the Son of man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God<\/em>\u201d (Lk. 22: 69).<\/p>\n Moses was the most distinguished law\u2013maker, Elijah the most illustrious of the prophets. They are the two greatest icons of the Law and the Prophets. Their leaving bears certain resemblances to the departure of Jesus at his ascension, especially the passing on of the Spirit to their successors as Jesus passed on his Spirit to the Church.<\/p>\n Moses passed on his Spirit to Joshua, his successor, and he was able to accomplish what death prevented Moses from doing. \u201cJoshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands on him; and the Israelites obeyed him, doing as the Lord had commanded Moses. <\/em><\/p>\n Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. He was unequalled for all the signs and wonders that the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants and his entire land, and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel<\/em>\u201d. (Dt. 34: 9\u201311)<\/p>\n Elisha, the successor, asked his master Elijah the prophet, to pass on \u201ca double share of his Spirit<\/em>\u201d to him that he might continue the master\u2019s role. \u201cNow when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven Elijah said to Elisha, <\/em>\u2018Tell me what I may do for you, before I am taken from you.\u201d Elisha said, \u201cPlease let me inherit a double share of your Spirit<\/em>\u2019. Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha grasped his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. He picked up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him\u2026 When the company of prophets who were at Jericho saw him at a distance, they declared, <\/em>\u2018The Spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha<\/em>\u2019. They came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him<\/em>\u201d (II Kgs 2: 9\u201315).<\/p>\n As these two episodes are prophecies of Jesus\u2019 departure and his gift of the Spirit to the Church, we may ask, \u2018What now could the Church expect\u2019? Obviously, that the Church would lead its members into the Promised Land of heaven as Joshua led the Israelites into their Promised Land. The Church can expect that, like Elijah\u2019s gift of a double Spirit to Elisha, symbolised by the mantle of Elijah, it, \u201cclothed with power from the most high<\/em>\u201d, in the words of Jesus, \u201cwill also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will<\/em> [the Church] do, because I go to the Father<\/em>\u201d (Jn. 14: 12+; 16: 23+).<\/p>\n It was necessary that Christ should suffer before entering into the new life of the resurrection. That is what the Church, which is the Body of Christ, must expect: suffering and persecution before entering the Kingdom of God. Our faith must never waver. Jesus is our priest in heaven and his Spirit is with us. We thank (\u201cbless<\/em>\u201d) God for allowing us, as members of the Church, to be Christ\u2013like in suffering and secure in our hope as we continue his mission of love for the salvation of the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TEXT \u2014 Luke 24: 46\u201353 \u2014 Jesus\u2019 farewell before Ascending to Heaven God\u2019s promises fulfilled 46 Jesus said to the Eleven: \u201cThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, Repentance and Forgiveness of Sins 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2659,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5747","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5747"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8379,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5747\/revisions\/8379"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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APPLICATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n